Off the coast of Antarctica, there is a cruise ship that has been stuck in the ice since Christmas Eve, it is located about 1500 nautical miles south of Tasmania. The ship has 74 scientists, tourists and crew on board and has ample supplies and is not in danger of sinking.
The trip left New Zealand on Nov 28 and is on a special research voyage to honor the 100th anniversary of famed Australian explorer Douglas Mawson.
A blizzard’s whipping winds pushed sea ice around the vessel, freezing it in place. On Dec. 25, Turney tweeted “We’re in the ice like the explorers of old! All are well and spirits are high. Happy Christmas.”
As you can see in the video posted today the Chinese icebreaker Snow Dragon is on the horizon and proceeding at 2 knots per hour.
“There’s a lot of relief among the team and a lot of happy faces,” said expedition leader Chris Turney.
“This could be a very lengthy process as it depends on the thickness of the ice,” Australian Maritime Safety Authority spokeswoman told the Australian Associated Press.
“The masters will have to determine whether it’s safe to get to the Shokalskiy and if they have the capability to do that.”
If the Chinese vessel, or the French icebreaker L’Astrolabe not far behind it, cannot reach the stranded ship, a third rescue vessel, Australian Antarctic Division vessel Aurora Australis, may have a better chance because it has a higher ice-breaking rating. Other options include bringing in ice-crushing vessels or airplanes or helicopters.
Despite the interruption to the expedition, the scientists have continued their research while stuck, counting birds in the area and drilling through the ice surrounding the ship to photograph sea life.
This should be an interesting story over the next few days.
If you have any comments please post them below.
Would you consider a cruise to Antarctica? or do you prefer someplace warmer?
Ken Barrett
P.S You can find this and my other comments at KenBarrett.us
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